A major scheme bringing new homes and jobs to Stalham is being backed by council planning officers.

The Hopkins Homes development off Yarmouth Road combines 150 homes, with 24 commercial units and a neighbourhood park on what is now a farm field.

The plans were deferred over earlier concerns including traffic, drainage and design matters.

But Thursday’s North Norfolk District Council development committee is being told that amended plans had answered those concerns and that the scheme should be approved, once highways officials had given their green light to the changes.

The homes will also include 10 bungalows and two blocks of flats. Sixty eight homes - 45pc cent- would be affordable.

The district conservation manager has withdrawn his original strong objections over the design of the estate, but said amended plans still “fail to enthuse”.

Business units would range from 111sq m to 167sq m, and the economic development manager said they would help revitalise a town where only 35pc of residents worked locally.

Stalham Town Council has objected to the plans raising concerns about the ability of local drainage to cope and possible rat runs caused by extra traffic. But Anglian Water says the sewerage system would cope with the new scheme. Highways officials’ views on the amended plans will be reported to the meeting.